It Is Well

As a teenager I began to love running. It started as a hobby, and quickly grew into something I became competitive in. My love for exercise flourished so much that I attended numerous training events, received many certifications, and became a group exercise instructor. I have ran half marathons, completed triathlons and biked half century distances. I love to train for events because the harder I work, the more results I see.

In the past couple of months I have pushed myself to get back into exercise. From my months off (well years off), I have realized that getting in shape isn’t as easy as it once was. Still, I continue to try my best, to set new distance goals, and desire to be better.

Today, I finished week five of an eight week program, and I am feeling strong (and sore). I have noticed my clothes fit better. I am lifting much heavier weights than I was just five weeks ago. The scale has dropped significantly, and I don’t just walk through a workout now... I am back to running. You see, the harder I work and the more effort I put in to working out, the more results I see.

So many things in life work the same way as exercise. If you study hard in school, you will excel on your exams. If you spend a lot of time and effort at your job, it's likely you will get a promotion. If you continue to date your spouse and keep romance alive, it is likely you will have a strong marriage. If you keep communication in your friendships and spend quality time together, your bond will grow deeper.

In life, almost everything is made better with a little hard work. So therefore, we associate working harder with meaning that our end result will be different.

But, how can you pray harder?

If you are anything like me this thought has crossed your mind a time or two... or three. I have had a lot of people ask me this lately. Friends who are struggling through addiction. Friends who were just served divorce papers. Friends who can't land a full time job to pay the bills. Friends whose parents are very sick. Friends who were just told their child only has months to live.

The question stems from the fact that throughout the Bible, there are many stories of Jesus answering prayer. The Bible is full of verses and testimonies that show us prayer is answered. Yet, each one of us has been left with unanswered prayer. Which leads us to question if prayer changes the outcome.

Just like the Bible is full of testimonies of answered prayer, the Bible reminds us that Jesus cares deeply for us. There are many verses in the Bible that mention God's love for us.

"Cast your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:25-26

There are many verses in the Bible that remind us that God hears our prayers.

"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple he heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears." Psalm 18:6

"But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him." Psalm 4:3

You can pray more, you can live life in prayer and you can surround yourself with an army of prayer warriors. But, how can you pray harder?

Friday, we received news that our daughter's leukemia is growing fast. We were told that the original treatment plan will not work and that she will have to start on a newer therapy that is still in trial phases. We will have to travel again for her care... during the holiday season. We have been battling childhood cancer since August 2020, and leukemia has returned again.

Please hear my heart: Aria Joy’s relapses, fevers, illnesses, side effects and mental struggles are not because we didn’t pray enough or hard enough.

We have prayed continuously. We have anointed. We have begged Jesus. We have gotten our lives right with God on a new level. We have boldly re-confessed our faith and shared it with the world, but our baby is still not healed.

If "hard" prayer was the answer, then no one would suffer on this side of Heaven. There is not a Bible verse that says every single illness in the world will be healed (not until Jesus returns anyway). There is no Bible verse that says having faith means bad things won’t happen.

So, how can you pray harder? You continue to pray, giving the situation to God, remembering God has a plan, even if it is different than your own. You pray and make your desires known to God while surrendering to God's will.

I know first hand that this can feel impossible, especially when you aren't getting the answers you want. As discouraging and unfair as this might sound, prayer is STILL the answer. Prayer will provide you with overwhelming peace and comfort. It will remind you of the hope that can be found in Jesus. Giving the situation to God through prayer will give you the rest you need to keep going.

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in miracles. I believe that God is still good despite the trials my family is facing. I also know that the outcome is not determined by me. And while my husband and I make decisions on Aria’s treatment, God has already determined and knows the outcome.

1 John 5: 14-15 "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him."

Instead of filling my prayers with questioning God in this season of life, I have started listening to God. “God, please help me to understand your plan!” His response is this:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

So, I will continue to exercise to improve myself physically and get results. I will continue to pray boldly, because I know Jesus can intervene, He can heal, and He will protect my family. God hears every single one of our prayers. I have learned that I pray hard, because I know God will be with me whatever the outcome.

"They say it only takes a little faith

To move a mountain

Well, good thing

A little faith is all I have right now

But God, when You choose

To leave mountains unmovable

Give me the strength to be able to sing

It is well with my soul"

-Casting Crowns